Easter Parade 2016

Overview

The Government has tasked Óglaigh na hÉireann (ÓÉ) with assisting all seven strands of the Ireland 2016 Programme of Events and in particular conducting appropriate state ceremonial events to commemorate the 100 year Anniversary of the Easter Rising.

The Defence Forces are taking part in 56 State Ceremonial events throughout the Centenary year. In addition, they are committed to supporting 31 local authorities with 33 flag raising ceremonies, with approximately 5000 Defence Forces personnel involved.

The centrepiece of the Defence Forces involvement on Easter weekend will be the military ceremonial parade on Easter Sunday through the streets of Dublin City Centre. This will involve 3,722 personnel from the Defence Forces and Emergency Services, 78 vehicles, 17 Aircraft as well as marching bands and colourful flag parties in full ceremonial order.

The marching elements will be comprised of personnel drawn from the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defence Forces, Defence Forces Veterans & from selected Emergency Services. This will be complemented by Defence Forces bands, pipers, flag parties, Equitation School horses and an Air Corps Fleet Fly Past. The marching elements will be followed by a range of selected Defence Forces vehicles and towed equipment which will be used to showcase our capability.

The Easter Parade Sunday 27 March

Over 3500 members of the Defence Forces, along with 78 vehicles, 17 aircraft and 5 equitation School horses will be taking part in the ceremonial Easter parade, one of the biggest ceremonial events the Defence Forces have ever been involved in.

The parade starts on Stephens Green at 10am, passing by RCSI, up Patrick’s St., past Dublin Castle, across O’Connell Bridge at about 1230pm, up O’Connell St and ending at Bolton St at about 3pm.

No matter where you are along the route you will be able to see what’s happening on the 22 Big Screen including live feeds of the parade, videos and commentary.

In detail, you will see Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve, Veterans, one of our overseas units as well as members of the Emergency Services. There will be 78 vehicles from vintage vehicles used in the Congo to our modern vehicles that patrol the Golan Heights. A rare Air Corps Fleet Fly Past of 17 aircraft will also be part of the parade as well, Defence Forces Bands, colour parties with flags and even 5 horses from the Army Equitation School.

Map of the Parade Route

A map of the Parade Route and more information about the centenary programme of events is available from www.ireland.ie

There will be a 21 Gun Salute in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Other Defence Forces Events during Easter Weekend

Easter Saturday 26 March

A ceremony for all who died during the events of 1916 will be held in the Garden of Remembrance 1200-1330hrs. The event will have a cultural element with appropriate music and poetry included.

The Defence Forces will be providing appropriate ceremonial representation including a Motorcycle Escort of Honour for An tUachtaran, Guard of Honour, a Cadet Honour Guard, wreath bearer parties, flag parties and musical accompaniment.

Easter Sunday Parade 27 March

There are four phases to the 2016 Easter Parade, as outlined within the 2016 Centenary Programme.

Phase 1. Wreath-laying ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery at 0940 in the morning. Wreaths will be placed at the Sigerson monument, at the grave of Edward Hollywood and at the grave of Peadar Kearney, respectively.

Phase 2. Wreath-laying ceremony at Kilmainham Gaol at 1030 on the morning. A wreath laying ceremony will take place in Kilmainham Gaol where An tUachtarán will lay a wreath in the Stonebreaker’s Yard in Kilmainham Gaol, at the site where the 1916 leaders were executed.

Phase 3. Wreath-laying ceremony at the General Post Office (GPO). This ceremony will take place shortly after noon, and will be led by An tUachtarán. He will lay a wreath on behalf of the Irish people; in honour of all those who fought and all those who died during the Rising in 1916. An Air Corps flypast by up to 6 PC9Ms aircraft, c/w smoke, will signal the end of this ceremony.

Phase 4. The Easter Parade At the conclusion of the ceremony at the GPO, the parade will cross O’Connell Bridge and past the GPO to the junction of Bolton St and Capel St. It will begin at 10am and conclude at approximately 3pm.

Flash is required!

98th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising - 20 April 2014

Easter Monday 28 March

Seven Synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies will be held in Dublin, and 4 identical regional event at 13.15 – the time that the first shots of the 1916 Rising were fired - at strategic points around Dublin and other regional sites including Cork, Galway, Enniscorthy and Ashbourne.

The Defence Forces will be providing appropriate ceremonial representation at each event in including Wreath Bearer parties, Flag Parties and Air Corps Fly pasts. There will be a National Colour Party and Proclamation Reader at each Dublin location.

A military vehicle and equipment display will take place in Smithfield Square from 9am to 6pm.

The Naval Ships LE Ciara and LE Samuel Beckett will be berthed in the City and open to the Public.

Easter Tuesday 29 March

Sgt James Pearse DFTC, Great Grandson of James Connolly reading the Proclamation

A ceremony will take place to commemorate the significant contribution of the Irish Citizen Army and James Connolly in the events of 1916 at Liberty Hall, in conjunction with the Trade Union movement.

Useful Links

The Badge design (common to all Corps and Services and all orders of dress) is derived from the badge of the Irish Volunteers and was designed by Professor Eoin MacNeill, Chairman of the National Executive of the Irish Volunteers. This badge was originally adopted by the Irish Volunteers in October 1914. [Read more]

Ireland 2016

Ireland 2016 is the State’s Centenary Programme to commemorate the 1916 Rising. It encompasses a broad spectrum of seven key strands in honour of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, including State Ceremonial, Historical Reflection and Community Participation. Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces, will play a key role in representing our citizens and ensuring the success of Ireland 2016.